}}{{tnr}}'''Gary Forby''' is a [[Democratic]] member of the [[Illinois State Senate]], representing District 59. He was first appointed to the chamber in 2003. He previously served in the [[Illinois House of Representatives]] from 2001 to 2003.

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{{tnr}}'''Gary Forby''' is a [[Democratic Party|Democratic]] member of the [[Illinois State Senate]]. Forby has served in the Illinois Senate since 2003 when first appointed to the position by former Governor [[Rod Blagojevich]]. Forby also served in the [[Illinois House of Representatives]] from 2001 to 2003.

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Forby graduated with his High School diploma and also works as a Excavating Contractor and Farmer in addition to being a Senator.

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Forby's professional experience includes working as an excavating contractor and farmer.

==Committee assignments==

==Committee assignments==

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===2013-2014===

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At the beginning of the 2013 legislative session, Forby served on the following committees:

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{{Committee Assignments

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|State = Illinois

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|year = 2013

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|Collapse =

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|Chamber = State Senate

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|Committee1 = Committee of the Whole

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|Chair1 =

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|Chair2 = Chair

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|Committee2 = Labor and Commerce

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|Committee3 = Licensed Activities and Pensions

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|Committee4 =

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|Committee5 =

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|Committee6 =

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|Committee7 =

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}}

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===2011-2012===

===2011-2012===

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In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Forby has been appointed to these committees:

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In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Forby served on these committees:

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* [[Committee of the Whole, Illinois Senate]]

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{{Committee Assignments

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* [[Education Committee, Illinois State Senate]]

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|State = Illinois

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* [[Energy Committee, Illinois State Senate]]

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|year = 2011

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* [[Insurance Committee, Illinois State Senate]]

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|Collapse = Yes

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* [[Labor Committee, Illinois State Senate]], Chair

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|Chamber = State Senate

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* [[Licensed Activities Committee, Illinois State Senate]]

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|Committee1 = Committee of the Whole

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|Chair1 =

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|Chair5 = Chair

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|Committee2 = Education

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|Committee3 = Energy

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|Committee4 = Insurance

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|Committee5 = Labor

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|Committee6 = Licensed Activities

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|Committee7 =

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}}

===2009-2010===

===2009-2010===

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In the 2009-2010 legislative session, Forby served on these committees:

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In the 2009-2010 legislative session, Forby served on these committees:<ref>[http://www.ilga.gov/senate/committees/default.asp "Illinois General Assembly" List of Illinois Senate Committees, July 28, 2009]</ref>

:Excerpt: "Gary Forby has worked to balance the budget and improve the region’s economy by revitalizing the Southern Illinois coal industry. ...He continues that same pledge this year by fighting to keep open Tamms Correctional Center, which is facing the chance of closure under the Governor’s budget proposal."

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*'''Bringing Money Back to Southern Illinois

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:Excerpt: "Gary Forby has worked closely with local mayors to bring taxpayer money back to communities in our District. He helped secure millions of dollars in state grants to replace water lines in Herrin, Benton, Carmi, Pope County, Shawneetown and Zeigler."

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*'''Protecting Southern Illinois Values

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:Excerpt: "Gary Forby continues to lead the effort to bring concealed carry to Illinois, which would allow properly trained, law-abiding citizens to carry concealed weapons and defend themselves, and he fought to keep the names of FOID card holders private to ensure their safety."

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==Issues==

===Concealed carry===

===Concealed carry===

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From State House News:

In May 2011, Gov. [[Pat Quinn]] announced that he would veto the concealed carry bill on which the Illinois Legislature had voted, if it landed on his desk. The bill would allow Illinois residents to carry concealed firearms in public.

In May 2011, Gov. [[Pat Quinn]] announced that he would veto the concealed carry bill on which the Illinois Legislature had voted, if it landed on his desk. The bill would allow Illinois residents to carry concealed firearms in public.

Line 86:

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That threat held little water because the bill had a lot of support and might win through a supermajority (71 votes in the House and 36 votes in the Senate) of votes from both chambers.

That threat held little water because the bill had a lot of support and might win through a supermajority (71 votes in the House and 36 votes in the Senate) of votes from both chambers.

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Rep. [[Brandon Phelps]] said he was trying to find enough support in the House to move the plan over to the Senate. Phelps said he wanted to call House Bill 148 for a vote on May 5, regardless of Quinn's opposition.

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Rep. [[Brandon W. Phelps]] said he was trying to find enough support in the House to move the plan over to the Senate. Phelps said he wanted to call House Bill 148 for a vote on May 5, regardless of Quinn's opposition.

"I just think that (Quinn) is wrong," Phelps said. "And you agree to disagree. Sometimes people within your own party disagree with what they say. And I totally disagree with him today."

"I just think that (Quinn) is wrong," Phelps said. "And you agree to disagree. Sometimes people within your own party disagree with what they say. And I totally disagree with him today."

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"About two-thirds of the citizens of our state are steadfastly and strongly opposed to allow private citizens to carry loaded, concealed handguns in public places," Quinn said.

"About two-thirds of the citizens of our state are steadfastly and strongly opposed to allow private citizens to carry loaded, concealed handguns in public places," Quinn said.

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Sen. [[Gary Forby]] said the opponents of concealed carry mostly live in and around Chicago and that people downstate, and in other states, support the idea.

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Sen. Gary Forby said the opponents of concealed carry mostly live in and around Chicago and that people downstate, and in other states, support the idea.

"I think all we are doing now, we are really helping the state of Illinois with what they got to do to get a license and stuff," Forby said. "So all you are going to do is put guns in peoples' good hands."

"I think all we are doing now, we are really helping the state of Illinois with what they got to do to get a license and stuff," Forby said. "So all you are going to do is put guns in peoples' good hands."

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:: ''See also: [[Illinois State Senate elections, 2012]]''

:: ''See also: [[Illinois State Senate elections, 2012]]''

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Forby is running for re-election to the [[Illinois State Senate elections, 2012|Illinois State Senate]] in District 59 in the [[State legislative elections, 2012|2012 election]]. Forby defeated [[Fred Kondritz]] in the Democratic primary on March 20, 2012. He faces Republican [[Mark Minor]] in the general election takes place on November 6, 2012.<ref>[http://www.elections.il.gov/InfoForCandidates.aspx ''Illinois State Board of Elections'' "Candidate List," December 5, 2011]</ref>

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Forby won election in the [[State legislative elections, 2012|2012 election]] for [[Illinois State Senate elections, 2012|Illinois State Senate]] District 59. Forby defeated [[Fred Kondritz]] in the Democratic primary on March 20, 2012 and defeated [[Mark Minor]] (R) in the general election which took place on November 6, 2012.<ref>[http://www.elections.il.gov/InfoForCandidates.aspx ''Illinois State Board of Elections'' "Candidate List," December 5, 2011]</ref><ref>[http://www.elections.il.gov/Downloads/ElectionInformation/VoteTotals/2012GPOfficialVote.pdf ''Illinois State Board of Elections,'' "Official 2012 Primary Results"]</ref><ref>[http://www.elections.il.gov/Downloads/ElectionInformation/VoteTotals/2012GPOfficialVote.pdf ''Illinois State Board of Elections'' "2012 Primary results"]</ref><ref>[http://www.elections.il.gov/Downloads/ElectionInformation/VoteTotals/2012GEOfficialVote.pdf Illinois State Board of Elections, “Official Vote - November 6, 2012 General Election,” accessed December 31, 2012]</ref>

The Illinois Opportunity Project, "an independent research and public policy enterprise that promotes legislative solutions in advance of free markets and free minds," annually releases its '''Legislative Vote Card''', grading all members in both chambers of the [[Illinois General Assembly]] on the basis of their support of "pro-growth economic policies that increase personal freedom and reign in expansive government."<ref>[https://illinoisopportunity.org/the-project/ Illinois Opportunity Project, "The Project," accessed February 21, 2013]</ref><ref name="IOP">[http://illinoisopportunity.org/votecard/ Illinois Opportunity Project, Legislative Vote Card home page, accessed February 21, 2013]</ref>

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====2012====

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Forby received a score of 62.50 out of 100 in 2012 for a grade of C- according to the IOP’s grading scale. His score was tied for the 24th highest among all 59 members of the [[Illinois State Senate]] included in the Vote Card.<ref name="IOP"/>

==Personal==

==Personal==

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Forbes and his wife, Angie, have four children.

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Gary is married to Angie Forby. They have four children and reside in Benton, Illinois.

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==Recent news==

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This section displays the most recent stories in a google news search for the term '''Gary + Forby + Illinois + Senate'''

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:''All stories may not be relevant to this page due to the nature of the search engine.''

Issues

Campaign themes

2012

Excerpt: "Gary Forby has worked to balance the budget and improve the region’s economy by revitalizing the Southern Illinois coal industry. ...He continues that same pledge this year by fighting to keep open Tamms Correctional Center, which is facing the chance of closure under the Governor’s budget proposal."

Bringing Money Back to Southern Illinois

Excerpt: "Gary Forby has worked closely with local mayors to bring taxpayer money back to communities in our District. He helped secure millions of dollars in state grants to replace water lines in Herrin, Benton, Carmi, Pope County, Shawneetown and Zeigler."

Protecting Southern Illinois Values

Excerpt: "Gary Forby continues to lead the effort to bring concealed carry to Illinois, which would allow properly trained, law-abiding citizens to carry concealed weapons and defend themselves, and he fought to keep the names of FOID card holders private to ensure their safety."

Concealed carry

From State House News:

In May 2011, Gov. Pat Quinn announced that he would veto the concealed carry bill on which the Illinois Legislature had voted, if it landed on his desk. The bill would allow Illinois residents to carry concealed firearms in public.

That threat held little water because the bill had a lot of support and might win through a supermajority (71 votes in the House and 36 votes in the Senate) of votes from both chambers.

Rep. Brandon W. Phelps said he was trying to find enough support in the House to move the plan over to the Senate. Phelps said he wanted to call House Bill 148 for a vote on May 5, regardless of Quinn's opposition.

"I just think that (Quinn) is wrong," Phelps said. "And you agree to disagree. Sometimes people within your own party disagree with what they say. And I totally disagree with him today."

Under HB 148, Illinois residents 21 and older could apply for permits to carry concealed firearms in public, except for places like schools, churches and inside state government buildings. Applicants would need to pass a written exam, firearms training exercises and background checks.

"About two-thirds of the citizens of our state are steadfastly and strongly opposed to allow private citizens to carry loaded, concealed handguns in public places," Quinn said.

Sen. Gary Forby said the opponents of concealed carry mostly live in and around Chicago and that people downstate, and in other states, support the idea.

"I think all we are doing now, we are really helping the state of Illinois with what they got to do to get a license and stuff," Forby said. "So all you are going to do is put guns in peoples' good hands."

Quinn said the plan may lead to more violence.

"I don't think that's healthy, if you are going to the grocery store," Quinn said. "You bump into somebody accidentally, and they take offense, they can pull out a loaded, concealed handgun to assuage their anger."

Sen. Larry Bomke said the plan would deter violence, because potential burglars would less likely rob homeowners with guns.

"I can only hope that he changes his mind once the bill gets to his desk," Bomke said. "And I feel fairly confident it will. But it will be important that we have enough votes, a supermajority, to override his decision if he chooses to veto the bill."

Rep. Jason Barickman said lawmakers have been working carefully to craft the plan.

“At the end of the day, we certainly would appreciate the governor's support,” Barickman said. “But with him making it clear that he opposes this right, this constitutional right, this right that a mass number of people support. I think that we just have to continue lining up our legislative votes and push forward."

“A lot of people have worked on this very hard — lots of law enforcement input,” she said. “I think it is a very strong bill. And hopefully we could get it passed," she said.

In the end though, Rep. Richard Morthland said it won’t matter what the governor chooses to do with the legislation if there are enough votes.

"There is a last minute roll call being taken just trying to figure out where people are, and how we are doing, and do we have exactly the number of votes we need, how close are we,“ Morthland said. “I think it looks good. Hopefully we will be able to move it this week."[3]

2008

On November 4, 2008, Democrat Gary Forby won re-election to the Illinois State Senate District 59 receiving 49,552 votes, ahead of Republican Ken Burzynski (46,727 votes).[8]

Illinois State Senate, District 59 (2008)

Candidates

Votes

Gary Forby (D)

49,552

Ken Burzynski (R)

46,727

Campaign donors

Comprehensive donor information for Forby is available dating back to 2000. Based on available campaign finance records, Forby raised a total of $5,527,119 during that time period. This information was last updated on July 18, 2013.[9]

Scorecards

Illinois Opportunity Project

The Illinois Opportunity Project, "an independent research and public policy enterprise that promotes legislative solutions in advance of free markets and free minds," annually releases its Legislative Vote Card, grading all members in both chambers of the Illinois General Assembly on the basis of their support of "pro-growth economic policies that increase personal freedom and reign in expansive government."[10][11]

2012

Forby received a score of 62.50 out of 100 in 2012 for a grade of C- according to the IOP’s grading scale. His score was tied for the 24th highest among all 59 members of the Illinois State Senate included in the Vote Card.[11]

Personal

Forbes and his wife, Angie, have four children.

Recent news

This section displays the most recent stories in a google news search for the term Gary + Forby + Illinois + Senate

All stories may not be relevant to this page due to the nature of the search engine.